Annual Celebration of Duke’s Housekeepers Takes On Added Meaning

As part of Duke’s Centennial, East Union Building will be named in honor of early Duke employees

Between winning a round of Bingo and enjoying a lunch of chicken, vegetables and cake, Georgianna Watson, or “Miss Penny” as she’s known by nearly everyone she encounters at Duke, was in constant motion during the heavily attended 2024 University Environmental Services Appreciation Luncheon.

In the Scharf Hall ballroom filled with Duke University housekeepers, utility workers, sanitation workers, recyclers, logistics and administrative support and UEVS leaders, Watson, who has worked at Duke for 38 years and is now based in the Biological Sciences Building, couldn’t go far without someone stopping her for a hug or a quick chat.

“Today’s event brings us together,” Watson said. “Being here, we can build our friendships and relationships.”

As the centerpiece of Duke Facilities Management’s annual celebration of International Housekeepers Week in September, last week’s luncheon featured games, giveaways and a catered meal with an array of desserts.

Duke UEVS team members gather for last week's luncheon celebrating their contributions. Photo by Travis Stanley.

And with laughter and conversation nearly drowning out the music, the event was a chance for colleagues who care for buildings scattered across campus to enjoy each other’s company and soak in well-earned recognition for the role they play at Duke.

“It’s important that they know they’re appreciated,” University Environmental Services Executive Director Leslye Kornegay said. “A lot of times this is a group that – not intentionally – can be overlooked. They really are the caretakers of campus.”

This year’s celebration of housekeepers across Duke has extra meaning. As Duke marks its Centennial, the East Union Building – home of the Marketplace and Trinity Café – will be renamed in honor of George and George-Frank Wall, a father and son who were early employees of Trinity College and Duke University.

The Duke community is invited to attend a dedication celebration for the George and George-Frank Wall Center for Student Life at 4 p.m. on September 27.

UEVS Executive DIrector Leslye Kornegay speaks to her colleagues at last week's luncheon. Photo by Travis Stanley.

Travis McKay, a Utility Worker in the soon to be renamed building, said he was excited to learn about the renaming of East Union Building.

McKay, who is from east Durham, said he knows members of the Wall family and has heard stories about George-Frank Wall, who was often called the “Sherriff” of the dining halls he cared for.

“It means a lot,” said McKay, who has worked in the Wall Center for Student Life for five years. “If the Walls get noticed for all of the years they put in, and we have these events celebrate that, it feels like we’re getting noticed, too. We appreciate it.”

On Friday, the UEVS Appreciation Luncheon finished with prizes, the UEVS team members shared hugs as they headed back out to posts across the campus that they make beautiful.

“It’s great to feel appreciated and to have a chance to bring everybody together,” McKay said about Friday’s event. “It shows that our management and everyone is noticing us, all of us. It’s really cool.”

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